Donald Trump says federal raid on Rudy Giuliani's apartment is 'very, very unfair'

Rudy Giuliani's boss Donald Trump has defended his personal attorney in the media, condemning FBI raids on Mr Giuliani's home.

Former president Donald Trump defends Rudy Giuliani - his personal attorney. Source: STRMX

Former US president Donald Trump has criticised the federal investigation into Rudy Giuliani and says he has no idea what US agents were looking for when they searched his former personal lawyer's Manhattan apartment and office.

Federal prosecutors have been investigating Mr Giuliani for nearly one and a half years, including a 2019 grand jury subpoena seen by Reuters for his financial records as part of an inquiry into possible money laundering, wire fraud, campaign finance violations, making false statements and obstruction of justice, in addition to foreign agent allegations.

Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, made numerous allegations of election fraud after Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential race. Source: AFP

Mr Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, once led the Southern District of New York now investigating his Ukrainian business dealings while serving as Trump's lawyer.

He has not formally been accused of any wrongdoing.

"It's very, very unfair," Mr Trump, a Republican, told Fox Business Network in an telephone interview.

"Rudy is a patriot who loves this country and I don't know what they're looking for, what they're doing. They said it had to do with filing of various papers. Rudy loves this country so much."

Mr Giuliani's lawyer, Bob Costello, said on Wednesday authorities had seized mobile phones and computers.

The search warrants included an allegation that Mr Giuliani violated lobbying laws by failing to register as a foreign agent, an allegation he denies, Mr Costello said.

Mr Giuliani began representing Mr Trump in 2018 amid a federal investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, which Mr Trump won.

Ahead of the 2020 election, Mr Giuliani led an effort to dig up dirt on then-Democratic contender Joe Biden and his son Hunter in Ukraine.

Rudy Giuliani speaks at a rally on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington DC, just hours before the Capitol riots. Source: EPA

Mr Biden defeated Mr Trump and took office earlier this year.

Both President Biden and his son have denied wrongdoing.

Mr Giuliani's lawyer, in his statement on Wednesday, suggested the investigation of his client was politically motivated - a charge the White House denied.

"The DOJ is independent now," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told CNN on Thursday, referring to the Department of Justice.

The White House did not receive any notice that Giuliani's apartment would be raided, she added.